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RECAP: Kentucky WBB makes history in 81-74 win over Mississippi State

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•02/15/22•

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Photo by Eddie Justice | UK Athletics

In front of a small crowd for an early tip-off, Kentucky Women’s Basketball secured one of their most electrifying victories of the season.

On Tuesday night, the Wildcats (11-11) defeated Mississippi State (15-9) 81-74 in Memorial Coliseum. After beating Alabama just two days earlier, hopes were high for the ‘Cats. Although things didn’t always go well for UK, they ultimately delivered in the end.

Tuesday night’s contest was UK’s third game in a row with all nine available scholarship players. Robyn Benton was back from an ankle injury, Dre’Una Edwards was no longer suspended and Kentucky was starting to return to form.

Edwards led Kentucky with 23 points and 10 rebounds. The redshirt junior was 7-13 from the field and a perfect 9-9 from the charity stripe. Moreover, Edwards recorded these figures while only playing for 29 minutes.

As a team, Kentucky shot 26-75 (35%) from the field and 7-20 (35%) from beyond the arc. Following Edwards’ lead, UK made an incredible 22 of their 24 free-throw attempts.

Here’s how Kentucky Women’s Basketball sent the Bulldogs back to Mississippi with their tails tucked between their legs.

Explosive start for Kentucky WBB

Kentucky went back to what worked so well for them against Alabama: a 1-2-2 press defense. The UK’s suffocating defense caused five first-quarter turnovers for the Bulldogs. The team’s defense was anchored by Nyah Leveretter, who received her second start of the season.

Head coach Kyra Elzy explained to the media her reasoning behind moving Leveretter into the starting lineup.

“Nyah has been consistent the last couple of games,” Elzy asked during the postgame press conference. “She’s high motor. Obviously, she’s really athletic. She’s versatile.”

After scoring just nine points on Sunday, Rhyne Howard got off to a hot start. The All-American had eight points, five rebounds and two assists in the first quarter alone. Fueled by Howard, Kentucky rattled off a 9-0 run. Feeling safe, Elzy subbed Howard out of the game.

Mississippi State immediately took advantage of Elzy’s gamble. The Bulldogs went on a 9-0 run of their own to even the score. After a wild 3-pointer fell for Treasure Hunter at the buzzer, Kentucky went into the second frame up 25-22.

Bulldogs go on offensive barrage

It was Jada Walker’s turn to shine in the second quarter. The freshman guard began the period on a 6-0 by herself. Continuing to force Bulldogs’ miscues, the ‘Cats were cruising. Elzy gave props to her standout freshman after the victory.

“What can you say about our freshman, Jada Walker?” Elzy asked. “A competitor, a fearless competitor. She wanted to win. Her ability to guard the basketball just makes us different.”

Then, Rhyne Howard picked up her second foul with 7:19 left in the half.

Howard sat down, and Mississippi State stepped up again. The Bulldogs ran off 16 unanswered points before the ‘Cats could blink. In the period, Mississippi State drained five baskets from deep, increasing their first-half 3-point percentage to 7-12 (57%).

Despite Mississippi State’s unbelievable run, Kentucky went into the halftime break only down 47-41.

Rhyne Howard disappears for Kentucky WBB

The ‘Cats went shot-for-shot with the Bulldogs in the third period, but no thanks to Howard. The reigning SEC Player of the Year was scoreless in the third period. Meanwhile, Mississippi State continued to put on a shooting clinic.

The Bulldogs nailed another three buckets from range against Kentucky’s helpless 2-3 zone. Mississippi State was seemingly finding shots at will.

After switching back into a man-to-man defense, Kentucky prevented any more Mississippi State 3-pointers. Nonetheless, the damage was done. The Bulldogs strolled into the final frame with a 64-57 lead.

Miracles really do happen

Things looked grim for the ‘Cats at the beginning of the final frame. Mississippi State went on a 7-0 run, giving them a 72-57 lead. The Wildcats were all but finished. Then, fans witnessed the most memorable moment of the season.

Kentucky scored 13-straight points to cut the deficit to two points. Pushed forward by the roar of Memorial Coliseum, Kentucky forced four turnovers using their dependable press. Further, Mississippi State couldn’t convert, going 4-15 from the field in the period.

Elzy broke down her team’s wild surge after the contest.

“We went with a small lineup so defensively we could do some different things. We started trapping the on-ball screen, we got some rebounds, we wanted to push in transition and, the main thing is, we wanted to crash the offensive boards.”

Elzy’s game plan worked to perfection. The ‘Cats continued their miraculous stretch to eventually generate a 24-2 run. Suddenly, the Bulldogs were the ones fighting an uphill battle. In the end, they lost that war.

In what seemed like a miracle, Kentucky pulled out an 81-74 victory. UK forced 16 Mississippi State turnovers while only committing eight miscues themselves. Additionally, the ‘Cats snagged 15 more rebounds than the Bulldogs, resulting in three times as many second-chance points.

Edwards wasn’t the only ‘Cat with a respectable performance. Howard contributed 16 points and six rebounds for the ‘Cats. Walker added 17 points and five boards, as well.

Kentucky’s grueling week of games is just getting started. The ‘Cats will face the Vanderbilt Commodores at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Memorial Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.

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2024-12-28